11 of the best monster books for children

Ten spooky little monsters are ready to help your little one learn to count in this fun interactive story for preschoolers. With its repetitive rhyming story, adapted from the classic nursery rhyme 'This Little Piggy', and details for children to spot on every page, This Little Monster will become a firm favourite for toddlers taking the first steps on their reading journey. As a bonus, the book has a guide for parents on tips for how they can help their child learn to read by enjoying stories together. 

Bo the Brave's brothers say she is too small to catch a monster, so she sets off on a fearless quest to snare a gruesome beast and prove them wrong. But when she finally happens across a mysterious creature, she discovers that maybe monsters aren't as evil as everyone makes out, and she might just be able to make friends with them. Join a brave little girl on her hunt for the world's most fearsome creatures in this empowering story from bestselling author and illustrator Bethan Woolvin. 

Why did the young zombie swallow a worm? We don't know why, but it sure made him squirm! With its cast of slimy and smelly characters, including toads, witches, bats and trolls, this fun rhyming picture book will have little ones laughing time and time again and joining in with the gruesome story of the hungry young zombie as you read together. With bright, bold illustrations and hidden details to spot on every page, this is the perfect book for young monster fanatics. 

You've read the stories, now learn to recreate the best-loved characters with step-by-step guides in this new book, published to celebrate three decades of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's publishing partnership. Budding artists can learn how to draw the Gruffalo's knobbly knees and turned-out toes or the witch with a wart at the end of her nose, along with eight more of their favourite characters in this interactive how-to guide. Plus, every page has bonus scenes to colour and activities to complete, giving children hours of creative fun! 

For Luna, there's nothing more exciting than the legend of the mythical Sky Dragon who swoops over her village when the sun goes down. But for her fellow villagers, the mysterious creature is something to fear. Determined to show them that there's nothing to be afraid of, Luna sets off on a quest to befriend the Sky Dragon, and bring her love of the sky above to everyone around her. Inspired by the wonders of the night sky and packed with facts about a whole host of astronomical phenomena, Bethan Woolavin's new story will inspire young stargazers everywhere. 

Most people have probably thought their teacher was a monster, but for Bobby, it's actually true! When he spots Miss Kirby –  his extremely strict, and very shouty – teacher outside of school, he discovers that she's not just a mean teacher; she's also a ferocious monster. Laugh-out-loud funny and packed with beautiful illustrations by Peter Brown, My Teacher is a Monster! will teach children that sometimes, there's more to people you know than meets the eye; and that teachers aren't always as dull as they seem.

Join Puff, little Jackie Paper and the inhabitants of the enchanted land of Honalee in this new edition of Puff, the Magic Dragon. The classic story has been reimagined in a beautifully illustrated gift set for a new generation. Children will love following the story of Puff and Jackie, reimagined with Eric Puyarbet's vibrant and vivid illustrations and singing along with the brand new song recordings, which are accompanied on CD by two other bonus tracks.

When Ozzy gets a job at the monster doctor's surgery, he has no idea how exciting his life will become. Join Ozzy as he helps the doctor cure yetis with sore feet, dragons with indigestion and all manner of weird and wonderful monster ailments while trying to save the day and stop the surgery from being closed down. A brilliantly funny adventure story with a message of inclusion at its heart, The Monster Doctor is the ideal chapter book for children gaining confidence and independence in their reading. 

A fabulous fantasy adventure from legendary author Eva Ibbotson, Monster Mission is packed with magnificent mythical creatures that young monster fans will love. The story of three children, who are kidnapped and stranded on an island home to an extraordinary cast of creatures, this mystery novel will set young readers' imaginations alight! Bringing Ibbotson's original story to a new generation of fans, this new edition of Monster Mission features drawings by award-winning illustrator Alex T. Smith.

When tragedy strikes Mirabelle's family, she and her brother must employ their magical and monstrous powers to survive in the real world for the first time. Joining forces, they soon discover that sometimes monsters aren't just the ones you can see and that life isn't always as black and white as her parents led her to believe. A middle-grade novel for young readers who love weird fiction, The Monsters of Rookhaven is a gothic adventure story full of heart and larger-than-life characters you instantly root for. 

Join Vega Jane for another death-defying adventure in Vega Jane and the Maze of Monsters, the second thrilling children's adventure series by bestselling writer David Baldacci. When Vega and her best friend Delph discover a shocking secret, they embark on a journey that will stretch their friendship to the limit. Join the daring duo as they fight against the monsters that lurk in the Quag – a mysterious and enchanted place where adventurers are never seen again –  as they search for the truth about their mysterious pasts.